KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS A TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES AMONG STUDENTS IN ADELEKE UNIVERSITY EDE OSUN STATE

This study investigates the knowledge, attitude, and perspective of social media as a tool for effective documentation and information sharing among students at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State. The primary objective is to assess students' proficiency, attitudes, perceived advantages and disadvantages, and challenges in using social media for academic purposes, providing insights to enhance its educational utility. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 6,000 undergraduate students across six faculties. Using Taro Yamane's formula, a sample size of 375 students was determined, selected via proportionate stratified sampling to ensure faculty representation. A structured questionnaire was administered, with 362 valid responses retrieved, yielding a 96.5% response rate. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, employing descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (correlation, linear regression) to explore variable relationships. Results revealed high knowledge levels, with 85.3% of respondents aware of suitable platforms like WhatsApp and Google Docs, though only 66.3% understood privacy settings. Positive attitudes were evident, with 84.5% valuing social media's collaborative benefits, but 55.8% expressed concerns about misinformation. Major challenges included distractions (63.0%) and lack of institutional guidelines (56.2%). The findings highlight social media's academic potential but underscore barriers like privacy concerns and distractions. In conclusion, social media is a valuable educational tool at Adeleke University, yet its effectiveness is limited by distractions and insufficient guidance. Recommendations include implementing digital literacy programs, establishing institutional guidelines, and integrating social media into curricula to foster responsible use and enhance academic outcomes.